A2IM Announces Libera Awards Lineup: Mac DeMarco, Naughty By Nature, Nosaj Thing, & Torres To Perform At A2IM's Biggest Awards Show To Date

The 2016 A2IM Libera Awards, presented by SoundExchange and hosted by Ted Leo, will feature a multi-artist performance lineup for the first time. This year’s lineup of Independent label artists is Mac DeMarco (Captured Tracks), Naughty By Nature (Tommy Boy), Nosaj Thing (Innovative Leisure), and Torres (Partisan). This year’s performances reflect the strength and diversity of the Independent record label world and of the Libera Awards, which are becoming a force to be reckoned with among major music award ceremonies.

“Our performers at the Libera Awards this year exemplify the talent and diversity of the Independent music community” says A2IM CEO Richard Burgess. "We are so fortunate that our community has embraced this annual event to champion and honor all things Indie, from our people behind the scenes to our talented artists. It is going to be an incredible night.” 

The Libera Awards recognizes excellence across diverse categories honoring leading artists and labels within the Independent music community. In only its fifth year, the award show, which was first held at (Le) Poisson Rouge, has grown each year and will be held at Manhattan Center’s Grand Ballroom (cap. 1,200), A2IM’s largest audience yet. A2IM represents a broad coalition of 391 Independently owned American music labels. Billboard Magazine, using Nielsen SoundScan data, identified the Independent music label sector as 34.4 percent of the music industry's U.S. recorded music sales market in 2015 based on copyright ownership, making Independent labels collectively the largest music industry segment. 

This year, 19 awards will be handed out, including Album of the Year and Label of the Year. Nominees include chart toppers Alabama Shakes and All Time Low, breakout artists Courtney Barnett and Kamasi Washington, and innovative labels ATO, Sub Pop, and 4AD.

Naughty By Nature (Tommy Boy) will receive the inaugural Indie Icon Award. This award honors groundbreaking Independent artists who have contributed to the Independent community and have paved the way for future Independents to succeed on their own terms.

This year’s awards will be held at Manhattan Center’s Grand Ballroom on Thursday, June 16. A2IM members can purchase tickets here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2544543.

A2IM Members are encouraged to invite artists, family and friends. 

Mac DeMarco (Captured Tracks) 

"Far Rockaway, NY-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, with his soulful, heartfelt music, relentless tour schedule and endearing personality, has earned him a spot as one of independent music’s most beloved musicians." 

Naughty By Nature (Tommy Boy) 

The Grammy-winning hip-hop trio from East Orange, NJ will be honored with the Libera Award’s inaugural Indie Icon Award. 

Nosaj Thing (Innovative Leisure)

The brainchild of Jason Chung, “L.A.’s beat scene’s preeminent modern minimalists” (Pitchfork), Nosaj Thing’s 2015 release ‘Fated’ is nominated for the Shifting Beats Award, presented by IDOL.

Torres (Partisan)

Brooklyn-via-Nashville singer-songwriter Mackenzie Scott won over critics and fans with last year’s ‘Sprinter.’ 

The Libera Awards cap off A2IM’s Indie Week (June 13-16), a week full of panels and workshops lead by many Independent leaders. See the week’s full schedule here: http://a2im.org/events/indie-week-2016/


About A2IM:

Celebrating its 11th anniversary, A2IM is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade organization headquartered in New York City representing a broad coalition of 391 Independently-owned American music labels. The organization represents these independently owned small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) interests in the marketplace, in the media, on Capitol Hill, and as part of the global music community. In doing so it supports a key segment of America's creative class that represents America's diverse musical cultural heritage. Billboard Magazine, using Nielsen SoundScan data, identified the Independent music label sector as 34.4 percent of the music industry's U.S. recorded music sales market in 2015 based on copyright ownership, making Independent labels collectively the largest music industry segment.

The organization's board of directors are composed of the following: Razor & Tie President Craig Balsam, Concord Music Group President Glen Barros, INgrooves General Manager Amy Dietz, Epitaph/Anti- General Manager Dave Hansen, Beggars Group Chairman Martin Mills, Hopeless Records Owner Louis Posen, Dualtone Music Group CEO/Co-Founder Scott Robinson, Kill Rock Stars Owner/President Portia Sabin, Adshare President Jim Selby, Tommy Boy Owner/CEO Thomas Silverman, and Secretly Group Co-Founder/Co-Owner Darius Van Arman. A2IM's president's advisory committee is Curb Records Vice President Taylor Childress, Red House Records Vice President Chris Frymire, and Innovative Leisure Co-Owner Nate Nelson.

http://www/a2im.org